A frame

[driver]

Hi just thinking of ways to get my exocet to cubrough track day, anyone used an a frame to tow a kit car? If any one has a trailer I could hire let me know. Live in Birmingham.

[p5curly]

We have used A frame on both our Mevsters towed by a car with a trailer board bungeed to the roll hoop
We towed Dave's orange Mevster to stoneliegh with it with no issues at all they go for £130 ish on eBay
Ours has been a worth while purchase and has been used a few times on some of our recovery missions

[miket]

Might end up risking potential issues with a car on an A-frame being regarded as a trailer and hence needs to be braked if it's over 750 kg ... unless kits are lighter than that of course... might be taking a risk if you end up being stopped.

It's not the clearest of reads but - www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-frames-and-dollies/a-frames-and-dollies

[Stiggy]

I can't imagine a PC insisting on a car being taken to a weigh bridge when he see's a car towed that looks so light.
Exocets should all weigh below 750kg and the added weight of the simple A frame is not significant. If you tow any other car they all weigh well over 750 so an A frame is not legal without brakes, not sure what they are intended for, maybe kit cars!
Dollies are for recovery only.
An A frame is a low cost way to tow your kit and you will not have a trailer to store.
Check if your vehicle is insured to tow and of course your licence allows towing.

[mawdo81]

A frames for towing behind motor homes often have a braking system that actuates the brakes of the car being towed...

[freshp5]

As long as it insured and got a mot on it your ok

[freshp5]

Tow my van on it too all the way back from London too

[driver]

I'm going to risk it, I think a frames are only for towing a broken down vehicle, I'll just say it's broken down. Last time I hired a trailer but it's a lot of headache getting it in the morning and returning it on time. Managed to find a an A frame for £110 brand new guy in Tamworth selling them. He said I can try it out if it don't fit I get a full refund 🙂. Only issue is I don't damaged or scratch the wishbones as a chain is used to secure them.

[driver]

My Exocet won't be insured or have an MOT on it. I'm hoping if I get pulled the copper will admire my creation instead of giving me a ticket.

[Stiggy]

Jun 7, 2017 20:55:49 GMT driver said:

My Exocet won't be insured or have an MOT on it. I'm hoping if I get pulled the copper will admire my creation instead of giving me a ticket.

Let's be clear on this issue and ensure we do not mislead readers.

Miket posted a link above. This makes it clear that;

DOLLIES are for recovery only.

A FRAMES are for towing, the vehicle in question becomes considered part of that trailer.

Therefore only the 750kg weight limit is of concern.

Above you mention that you will inform a Police officer that your vehicle has broken down. He may check to find that it is not insured or MOT'd.
If you inform said officer that your A frame and car have formed a trailer then he will know it does not need an MOT.

As I mentioned above you will need to check the tow vehicle is insured to tow.

[kiwicanfly]

I looked at similar options before buying a trailer.

I seriously considered a dolly (no requirement for recovery only use here in NZ as far as I am aware) but had serious doubts as to the suitability for a Rocket due to the rear engine configuration, huge potential for a jack knife.

I know the 750kg should not be an issue with most MEVs but what also has to be considered is the tow capacity of the vehicle, my previous car could (in theory) tow 1500kg braked but had a 500kg limit unbraked thus would make the UK 750kg illegal.

[p5curly]

I am sure that some insurance company's do short term insurance it may be worth giving them a call
The A frame will pull your Exocet without a problem as long as it's setup and secured properly

[duratec1999cc]

Jun 6, 2017 14:05:19 GMT miket said:

Might end up risking potential issues with a car on an A-frame being regarded as a trailer and hence needs to be braked if it's over 750 kg ... unless kits are lighter than that of course... might be taking a risk if you end up being stopped.

It's not the clearest of reads but - www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-frames-and-dollies/a-frames-and-dollies

extract from the above link:

Trailers having a maximum laden weight not exceeding 750kg are not required to have brakes fitted. However, if the trailer (regardless of mass) is fitted with a braking system, then all brakes in that system must operate correctly and efficiently. This means that the braking systems of small ‘microcars’ (under 750kg in weight) must still operate, even when the vehicle is being towed. Unless the vehicle is broken down, when C&U makes special provision.

As the kit car which is under 750KG is fitted with a braking system, it needs to operate when it is being towed so would require the fitment of some kind of remote actuated braking device, or the whole braking system removed!

[tojeiro]

Sure one of the Practical Performance Car staff just got 6 points for towing a car on an A-frame. Think it was because it was because that car being towed was not insured in his name. Court decision was in this months magazine.